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Longtime Vashon resident Bob Childs, former teacher, football coach, elementary school principal and pioneer of special education programs for the Vashon Island School District, is celebrating his 90th birthday on Friday, Aug. 15. He and his wife Louise and children Anne, David and Katherine moved to the Island in 1948, eventually settling on their five-acre property on Point Robinson Road on Maury Island.

Childs was born and raised on a farm in Buhl, Idaho. He graduated from the University of Utah and began his teaching career in southern Idaho before joining the Navy near the end of World War II.

The Navy moved the family to Seattle in 1948 where he and Louise began looking for the ideal location to raise their family. After seeing and falling in love with Vashon Island, he applied for a teaching position, and they were home.

He became involved in many aspects of the school system and the community, becoming well known by several generations of Island children and their parents. His love of working with kids has been a lifelong pleasure.

There are many of his former students who remember him fondly, frequently inviting him to class reunions. During the summer, he often worked at Beall Greenhouses and spent one summer commercial fishing in Alaska.

Retiring from full-time teaching in 1978, he became a consultant for the Auburn School District for several years. Then, he and Louise began to travel, enjoying visiting many parts of United States and especially the Southwest. Losing Louise in 1996, he has continued to reside in his home and enjoy Island life. Currently he has three of his four grandchildren living on the Island, and his three children, fourth grandchild and two great-granddaughters all live in Washington.

Islanders may see Childs taking his daily walks and weekly Wednesday shopping at Thriftway. When they do, he’ll appreciate it if they give him a wave and happy hello. He would love to visit with them.

The board of the Vashon Island School District will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, in Courthouse Square.

sheriff’s report

July 28

8:08 a.m.: In the 18400 block of Beall Road S.W., a King County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a traffic complaint investigation. Vehicles speed on Beall Road between S.W. Bank Road and the 19200 block of Beall. The posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour, and vehicles go up to 70 miles per hour.

Peak periods for speeding are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. in both directions, and 8 p.m. to midnight on weekends.

July 30

10:11 a.m.: At the intersection of Kingsbury Road and 80th Avenue S.W., a car was reported abandoned via the abandoned vehicle hotline.

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